Scenic Touches To Grace Hollywood Boulevard

HOLLYWOOD — A couple of years from now, when motorists turn east off Interstate 95 onto Hollywood Boulevard, they'll be greeted by a scenic new entrance into the city.

Gone will be the black olive trees that for years have left spots on cars and sidewalks below.

In their place will be two rows of royal palms over brick sidewalks and decorative street lights that will stretch from I-95 to the east side of City Hall Circle.

There also will be a bicycle path.

The city plans to spend more than $5 million to spruce up the ``gateway'' into the city.

City commissioners recently approved plans for the project, which they hope will encourage property owners in the area to invest in building improvements.

``It's a wonderful, wide thoroughfare all the way through our city and should be beautiful all the way to where it joins Pines Boulevard,'' Mayor Mara Giulianti said.

Although Giulianti is a strong proponent of the plan, she said recently that she was disappointed that the city has not yet received commitments from property owners on Hollywood Boulevard that they will renovate their buildings. City Manager Sam Finz said the city can seek assurances from owners that they will invest in their properties while the city completes work on the beautification plan.

The improvements will be paid for with money from bonds that will be repaid over 20 years with gas tax revenues, City Finance Director Carlos Garcia said.

The city will borrow the money by the end of the year, at an annual cost of about $400,000 a year, he said.

Garcia said the city still will have $1.3 million in remaining gas tax funds available for other capital projects.

If all goes according to plan, the design will be finished in July. Construction could then get under way in September.